Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Battle for the Buck

On a recent trip to Oahu, I learned that it would cost a minimum of $92 for a car rental and more since we would be needing the car a few hours beyond the 24 hour period.  So let's say that the cost is about $125 for the time on Oahu.  Then the hotel charges $20 for parking, tip for the valet, and street parking charges say $5.  This brings the total to $150 for the convenience of having a car.  Add to this amount, the stress of trying to remember which off and onramps are the best for getting where you want to go...the total is a whole lot of money and stress.

We ended up settling for some alternatives.  Upon our arrival, we decided to catch the speedishuttle to our hotel. To catch a shuttle bus, check the SpeediShuttle kiosk by the baggage claim area.   For the two of us, it cost $29.10 and we were the first to be dropped off at the Ala Moana Hotel.  We gave the driver a $2 tip.  We walked to the Ala Moana Shopping Center so it was convenient for whatever shopping we wanted to do.  We could have purchased a round trip on the shuttle bus but wanted to keep our return trip flexible so only purchased a one way ticket.

On the ride back to the airport, we decided to catch a cab from the Ala Moana Hotel.  Since we had some slack time between checkout and our flight time, we checked our bags at the bell desk and walked back to the shopping mall and took our time looking around, watching people, having a cup of coffee, and meandering.  Before we knew it, it was time to hele on.  We walked back to the hotel and caught the cab.  We rode on TheCab which hasn't raised its prices like Charley's and Independent.  Drop off at the Hawaiian Airlines curb cost $31.10 plus a $5 tip.

We saved money and saved ourselves a whole lot of stress in driving!! We also walked a lot to and from the hotel and the various stores in the shopping center and that is a good thing.   I think that the rent a car businesses may be pricing themselves out of business if they don't wise up.  Consider alternatives while in Honolulu...you might learn something!!